The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-04-21

preston frightened me so that caught
my breath.
What is it. Eflie," asked.
Ethel" she sad. very sadly, Il
must tell you. though you'll hate me.
The boy who brought that note brought
one for Mrs. Bray"
fit of laughter.
"Why should that trouble mep" l
inquired.
Don't you see your Harry must have
written both?" she asked.
NO" said !, II do not. / am not
jealous of Harry"
Then broke the seal, and these were
the words | read:
Madame: have another engagement, and
am obliged to decline yours
II. HEArnooTE.
l put the old billet down with a
strange chill at my heart What had
done to deserve this? What did it
mean? What should l do? A note
like this from betrothed lover from
whom had parted with the tcnderest
caresses? Ellie saw that l was in
trouble and forebore to question me.
but she glided out of the room and did
not return for an hour. When she
came back her face was wet with tears.
You cannot tell me what it tsp"
she asked.
answered:
Il must have offended him uncon-
sciously. l can't say anything more. y
When the dinner bell rang l went
down stairs as usual. Passing the
parlor door saw Mrs. Bray. She was
reading Il note aloud.
II declare. l never was so sur
prised," she said Il thought he was
in love with that little girl. All! there
she comes"
She hurried away as she spoke, in as
sumed terror. The next moment !
saw Effie speak to her and white
paper pass into her hand. Whatever
it was she knew and she would tell me-
She did. That evening she brought a
letter into my room-a letter that Mrs.
BRAY had exhibited to all the house-a
love-letter from Harry Heathcote. ten
derer and more passionate than any
he had ever written to me, and with
his undoubted signature at its foot. 1t
was no forgery. Il even knew the
paper, rare and costly kind, with his
own monogram upon it. 1t began
Darling and ended ''Your own
Harry" l did not scream. did not
swoon: l faced the terrible truth as
best might. She had won him from
me, but was nowise to blame. was
true. l was sinned against, not sin.
ming, and the blow should not crush
me.
did not allow myself to play the
mourner. Contempt of my lover had
taken the place of love.
He should know that l did not grieve
for him; and asked good old Mr.. Hal
loran to be my escort, and went to the
party next evening with a smile on my
face, though my heart ached sorely,
and life seemed cold and cruel thing
to me.
They told me was gay that night
chatted, | ate and drank, l danced
whenever l was asked to. All the
while the words of that letter Harry
had written to Mrs. Bray were in my
heart.
When old Mr.. Halloran took me
home he told me had 'wearied my
self out, and was beginning to feel it. >
But was strong yet.
Tomorrow l had work to do tina
would demand all my strength take
the matter into my own hand, to write
an adieu to Charlie, send him back the
gifts and letters in my possession AM
ask mine of him. As | went up stairs
old Mrs. Morton looked out of he
room.
Your beau was here tonight" sh'
said. Il expect he was cut up to fine
you out, but Mrs. Bray took care O
him."
l tried to laugh. All my life felt
must now laugh when l had rathe
cry. must hide my heart. No on
should ever call me disappointed
woman. No one should speak of m
as one who had been Tilted.
l wrapped myself in my dressing
gown and sat before my fire. coul'
not sleep. could not even lie down
The clock struck II, /, 2. and still
watched the dying embers. Ten min
utes more had gone by, when suddenl
frightful shrek ran through tn
house-another and another. rush
ed to the door. Other people were j
the entry. The shrieks came from Mrs
Bray's room, and, ere she could ope
it, it was flung wide and she rushe
toward us. her long. white robe a
ablaze, horrible moving column c
fire.
l don't know what 1 thought.
don't know what did. l cannot re
member anything more until 1 ha
her down upon the floor, with blank
ct that had snatched from pile tbs
lay on the table in the entry wrappe
about her. I heard myself crying
"Lie still, and you will save Your face!
And saw the flames choke out, an
t the light, black finder floating abor
+ me. and knew that had at least save
her from being burned to death. 500
3 knew that l had saved her life.
1t was night again when some on
. came to my door, and told me thu
| Mrs. Bray wished to see me. Of cours
1 went to her. She was lying in he
bed, wrapped in bandages, and sl1
could not stir, but she looked at n
earnestly.
send them out Of the ROOM" sh